Friday February 9, 2024

The Implementation Committee chaired by Hon. Raphael Wanjala (Budalangi) was told by the Coast Water Works Development Agency (CWWDA) that the Agency has failed to reclaim 19 acres of land that was illegally acquired by private proprietors.  

Appearing before the Committee, the Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Agency Eng. Martin Tsuma told the Members that they are yet to transfer the illegally acquired land back to the Agency’s ownership. He however, said the Agency has lodged complaints with the National Land Commission (NLC) and the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission to intervene.

“Evictions were not possible since some of the properties had illegal proprietorship with ownership documents,” Eng. Tsuma said.

An inspection tour of three parcels of the land initially owned by the CWWDA in Nyali, Shanzu, and Mikindani areas revealed near total occupancy by private residential premises. This prompted Members to question the Agency’s commitment to reclaiming the land. 

“Our people have been here for years, landless and without water supply, but someone sits at an office in Nairobi and illegally allocates land meant for the public to private developers. We need to find a way to hold these illegal sellers of the land accountable and reclaim all the parcels unduly acquired,” said Hon. Mohammed Chimba.

The 21st Report of the Public Investments Committee recommended that the Ministry of Water and Irrigation should engage the NLC with the aim of acquiring ownership documents of the said parcels of land, and for the Coast Water Services Board CEO to seek a court order for the immediate eviction of illegal occupants from its land, and put a caveat on its properties.